Spa National School
Spa, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 230 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 121 girls, 109 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18702I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Spa National School is a co‑educational primary school serving junior infants to sixth class in the village of Spa, three miles west of Tralee. The school accommodates approximately 224 pupils and employs a team of full‑time teachers, special education staff and support personnel. It offers a broad curriculum that incorporates digital learning, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), film and extra‑curricular activities, aiming to provide a holistic education that balances academic rigour with creative and physical development. Daily timetables run from 8.50 am to 1.30 pm for infants and to 2.30 pm for older classes, with supervised pre‑ and post‑school care. Recent developments have expanded the school’s facilities considerably. A 2012 rear extension added four spacious classrooms, a staffroom and a resource room, while a 2013 project created an astro‑turf pitch, new tarmac play area, staff car park and improved footpaths. The Board of Management has also installed a dedicated ICT suite, a support room, a pedestrian crossing, and secured additional land for future growth, reflecting a commitment to modern, well‑resourced learning environments.
History
The original Spa school was built in the 1860s and served the community for nearly a century. A new building was erected on the present site in 1963. In the 1980s, prefabricated classrooms were added and the grounds expanded to 1.5 acres. The 1990s saw the construction of a ball court (1993) and a major extension of four classrooms (opened 1996 by the Tánaiste). Between 2000 and 2010 enrolment grew, prompting the addition of temporary classrooms. A 2012 extension added four classrooms, a staffroom and a resource room. In 2013 the school installed an astro‑turf pitch, new tarmac area, staff car park and a footpath. A support room and ICT facility were completed in 2014. Land was purchased in 2019, a pedestrian crossing added in 2022, and a 2023 grant approved for a new classroom and two special‑education rooms.
Applying to Spa National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Spa National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Spa National School
How many pupils attend Spa National School?
Spa National School has 230 pupils enrolled, 121 girls and 109 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Spa National School a DEIS school?
No. Spa National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Spa National School?
Spa National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.